Insert for buckles and the like



Oct. 28, 1941. P. w. WHITE I INSERT FOR BUCKLES AND THE LIKE Original Filed Sept. 30, 193'? Patented Oct. 28, 1941 Parva ProductsCo mp porationof Delaware any, Chicago, 111., a, cor- Original application September 30, 1937, Serial I No. 166,471. Divided and this application February 23, 1989-,1Serial No. 257,878

, 1'Claim.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 166,471, for a Buckleiflfiled by appli: cant on September 30, 1937, r

' This invention relates to inserts for buckles or the like and has special reference to a device for detachable engagement with-a .buckle or the like and adapted to display or to expose and to removably hold one or more letters which may combine to form a monogram or the initials of the wearer or to hold an ornament, emblem, or the like.

More particularly, this inventionrelates to an insert of resilient material for seating in a depression in the face of a metal frame of a buckle or the like, the insert being of substantially the size and shape of the depression for fitting there-. in and having projections thereon extending beyond the confines thereof for engaging apertures in opposed side walls bounding the depression to prevent displacement of the insert from the depression. I

The present invention is illustrated and described in association with a frame of a slide buckle employing relatively movable frame meme bers of which the face of one of the frame members is depressed in a desired configuration to re-, ceive an insert preferably of the same configuration and size to fit therein, an underlying portion of the cross bar secured, to the frame of the buckle presenting a strap-engaging face inclined relative to the path of movement of the frames of the buckle. The strap-engaging face of one of the frames co-operates with a raised portion of a cross bar of the other of the frames to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions. It is, of course, to be understood that the particular buckle disclosed herein is for p poses of illustration only and that various forms of buckles, fasteners, clasps and the like may be adapted to form a frame for receiving the insert of the present invention.

In a preferred form of this invention one of the cooperating frames is provided with a depression in the face thereof for receiving an insert, at least the face of the insert being of a contrasting color with the frame and being formed of resilient material. The insert is such as to fit the depression in contour and may also preferably be of a thickness corresponding to the depth of the depression so that the face of the insert is flush with the top surface of the frame. The frame is provided with apertures in opposed side walls bounding the depression and the insert is provided with projections which extend beyond the I drawing, in which latter:

to prevent displacement :of the insert from. the depression.

One of the objects of this inventionis to vpro. vide an insert of, the character indicated above which may. be detachably engaged with a buckle or the like for exposing a design such as an initial, emblem, or the like. I

Another object of this invention is to provide an insert of the above disclosed type for association with a buckle or the like in which at least the face thereof contrasts in color with the buckle and is providedwith an opening'therethrough of a desiredyconfiguration to represent an initial, emblem, orthelike, the opening exposing the frame ofcontrastin'gcolortherethrough.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an insert of the type hereinabove noted for asso ciation withibuckles or the like'which is comparatively inexpensive. to manufacturais simple to assemble, and is ornamental in appearance. Other objects and advantagesof this invention will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features .of this invention, reference may now be had to thefollowing description when taken together with the accompanyin Figure l is a front elevational view of the slide buckle embodied in this invention in its relation to a belt shown fragmentarily; p v

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central sectional view of the slide buckle taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing one end of the belt threaded therethrough in dotted lines; I I I Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the slide buckle taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4'is a rear elevational view of the slide buckle, the belt in this instance not being shown;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective View of one of the slide buckle frames withv the insert removed therefrom; I j I Fig. 5a is a perspective view of an insert adapted for use with the slide buckle frame; I I

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form ofinsert; I

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of another modified form of insert; and I I I Fig. 8 is a perspective view of still another modified form of insert.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 to Sc, inclusive, thereof, the buckle therein shown is illustrative, of a construction with which the insert of the present inven tion may be associated and comprises a pair of confines of the insert for engaging the apertures frame members i0 and H, the frame member l0 being preferably substantially rectangular in outline having side bars I2 and I3 connected by cross bars I4 and I5 forming a slot. The frame II is likewise preferably substantially rectangular in outline having side bars I6 and I1 connected by cross bars I8 and I9 forming a slot 20. The side bars and cross bars of the frame II] are preferably embossed or, as shown in the drawing, the periphery thereof is substantially channel-shaped throughout when viewed in cross section, a ledge IIIb being formed thereby. This permits of the use of a minimum weight or gauge material to obtain a maximum rigidity and provides a desired heavy appearance with no sharp edges exposed. In order to form the buckle frame, V-cuts (not shown) are made in the material of the frame before the forming operation of the outer flange or ledge IIlb into one of the legs of the channel, and after the channel is formed a line contact of the edges bounding the V-groove in the ledge Illb is made as shown at A (see Fig. 4)

The cross bar I4 of the frame I0 is preferably of substantial width having an integrally formed underlying portion 2| presenting a beltor strapengaging face 2Izr inclined relative to the path of movement of the frames I0 and II. The length of the strap-engaging face 2Ix is preferably very substantial and thus provides for the reception of straps or belts of varying thicknesses.

As above stated, the frame II is provided with a substantially channel-shaped periphery to form opposed channels IUa when viewed in cross section. These channels receive the side bars I6 and I! of the frame I I and guide the frame in a longitudinal movement in the direction of movement of the strap converging with respect to the inclined beltor strap-engaging face 2Ix. In other words, the frame I I moves in its channels over a relatively straight path to the inclined beltor strap-engaging face 2|:1: of the crossbar I4 so that a movement of the frame II in one direction will bring the frame into wedge-like co-operation with the other frame.

The frame II has an intermediate portion 22 of the cross bar I9 raised above the plane of the frame and is preferably inclined in the direction of inclination of the beltor strap-engaging face 2Ia: of the co-operating cross bar I4 to provide a beltor strap-engaging face. The inclined beltor strap-engaging face 22 is preferably provided with grooves 22a extending in the direction of the cross bar I9 to augment the normal frictional contact with the strap. By reason of the fact that the strap-engaging faces of the co-op-erating beltor strap-engaging inclined faces 2 Iaand 22 of the cross bars I4 and I9, respectively, are inclined and present a substantially wide face, the engagement thereof with the belt will produce no marring or cutting effect thereon. Further, the provision of a raised portion of this type reinforces and strengthens the frame I I as a whole.

When it is desired to clamp the belt in an adjusted position, a tension on the belt 23 provides a relative longitudinal movement of the frame members I0 and II in opposite directions, the frame IIJ being in a fixed position since it is fixedly attached to one end of the belt as at the looped portion 23a and the other frame I I having relative movement therewith since the belt is threaded through the belt-receiving slot 20 and is pulled in the direction of the inclined beltor strap-engaging face 2Iac. The frame member I I being directed in the path of movement of the frames, the belt will be urged against the inclined strapor belt-engaging face 2 Ir by the inclined beltor strap-engaging face 22 of the frame II. The greater the tension on a belt, the firmer the belt is clamped between the engaging faces of the movable frames. Thus a desired clamping action is had without sharp edges or teeth being employed.

The face of the cross bar I4, which is preferably of arcuate cross section, is provided with a depression or recess 24 of any configuration desired. In the particular instance shown in the first five figures of the drawing, the depression is of elongated substantially rectangular shape. An

insert 25 formed preferably of thin resilient mat'erial is received in the recess 24. The insert is of substantially the same size and shape as the depression, the thickness of the insert being preferably the same as the depth of the depression and the contour of the insert being the same as the contour of the depression. The frame is provided with apertures 26 in opposed side walls bounding the depression 24, and the particular number of apertures depends entirely upon the number of projections 21 extending from the insert 25 to be engaged therewith. In the figures now being described but a single projection of comparatively substantial width is formed at each end of the insert centrally thereof and preferably integrally therewith. When it is desired to dispose the insert 25 in the depression or recess 24 in a manner to prevent displacement thereof, the insert is bent by reason of its being formed of resilient material and the projections 21 are disposed in alignment with the apertures 26 whereafter the insert is permitted to return to its original form and the projections are thus inserted into the apertures.

The insert 25 preferably has at least the face thereof of a contrasting color with the frame and, for example, if the frame is of nickel chromium, gold, or silver, the face of the insert may be painted or otherwise provided with black or other contrastingly colored enamel or the like. It is, of course, to be understood that in the more expensive buckles the insert 25 may be formed of yellow gold to contrast with a silver buckle. It is also preferable to cut the initial, monogram or the like out of the material of the insert so that the contrasting color of the frame will show through the cut-away portion of the insert to make the initial, monogram or the like, prominent, The dealer is provided with a great number of initials or combinations, and the purchaser of a buckle selects the proper letter or letters forming his initials which are easily and quickly, without the use of any tool or the like, secured to the buckle by merely flexing the insert and allowing the same to assume its original position after the projections are aligned with the apertures into which they fit.

Referring now to Fig. 8 of the drawing, an

, insert 25a of a modified shape is shown, in this instance the insert being substantially round with the desired letter cut therein. One or more projections 21a may be formed on diametrically opposed portions of the periphery of the insert. As in the previously described embodiment, the insert may be of relatively thin resilient material having the face thereof enameled or otherwise provided with a contrasting color to the material of the frame on which it is disposed or it may be formed of a precious material which of itself is of a different color than the material of the frame. The insert is fixed in the depression in the same manner as in the previously dewith the insert 250.

type as that shown in Fig. 5a is illustrated with the exception that a pair of projections 27c extend from and are formed preferably integrally As in the previously described embodiments, this insert may be formed of a relatively thin resilient material coated or covered with enamel or like substances to prowith the insert and its depression, the apertures, being formed in th side walls bounding the depression, will not be exposed to the sight nor will the projections which are inserted thereinto. From an appearance standpoint, therefore, no

, objectionable connections are disclosed to the sight and a very simple and efficient means for holding the insert and letters against displacement is thus provided; The insert as above stated may easily and quickly and without the use of any tool or the like be secured to the vide a contrasting color to the buckle to which it is secured, the material of the frame of the buckle showing through the cut-away portion of the insert forming the desired letter or other character.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7, the insert 25b merely acts as a frame for the letters, emblems, or other characters desired to be displayed. The frame in thisinstance covers the edges of the initials, emblems, or the like, shown in dotted lines and holds them in the recess to prevent displacement thereof. This frame, acting as an insert, is likewise made of thin resilient material of a color naturally contrasting with the color of the frame and is provided with a pair of projections 2Tb on opposed sides for insertion in apertures in opposed side walls bounding the depression to which it is afbuckle. A dealer is permitted to equip himself with a supply of different letters,thus obviating the necessity of carrying a large number of buckles in stock.

While several embodiments of this invention are herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof may fixed. In this instance, the letters are placed" in the depression and the resilient frame is bent in a position such that the projections are aligned, with the apertures into which they are inserted after the frame is released and permitted to assume its original position.

In all of the instances shown in connection be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit-and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claim;

I claim:

In a buckle comprising a metal frame having a depression in the face thereof, an insert of resilient material and of substantially the contour of said depression for fitting therein, said insert having an opening therethrough and be- 3O ing adapted to hold indicia in said depression in position to be viewed through said opening, said frame having apertures in opposed side walls bounding said depression, and projections on said inserts extending beyond the confines thereof for engaging said apertures to prevent displacement of said insert from said depression.

. PAUL W. WHITE. 

